Lee Min-ho Wins Top Award at 19th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

.Lee Min-ho bags the top honor in the 19th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan), organizers announced on Wednesday. He is expected to grace the opening ceremony on July 16, Asia One reported.

One of the most sought-after leading man in South Korea today, Lee Min-ho is an indisputable pick for the Producers' Choice award. The recipient is jointly selected by BiFan and Korea Film Writers Association from celebrities active in the the industry.

Previous winners of the award include Hyun Bin, Ha Ji-won, Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo, and Son Ye-jin, KPop Fighting listed.

Sharing the recognition with Lee Min-ho is Moon Chae-won, whose supporting role in the period drama "Painter of the Wind" earned her massive attention in 2008. In 2011, she won Best New Actress at the Grand Bell Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards.

According to a spokesperson of the film festival, Lee Min-ho's strong acting skills and undeniable charisma make him a box office star. His popularity that started in his breakout role as Gu Jun-pyo in "Boys Over Flowers" puts him at the forefront of the so-called second Hallyu Wave. Since his debut, Lee Min-ho has been casted in many top-grossing TV series and movies and has gained millions of fans and followers all over Asia.

The list of awardees also include Jung Woo and Kim Go-eun for the Fantasia Award, Soompi cited. Actors who covet this recognition are voted the most wanted to be seen by Bucheon citizens at the event.

Actor Oh Dal-soo, whose acting prowess was exhibited in a number of films including "Ode to My Father" (2014), "Miracle Cell no. 7" (2013), and "The Thieves" (2012), was chosen for the It Star Award. The accolade is given to actors with most impressive performance in movies.

BiFan is a non-competitive award-giving body that recognizes significant contributions to South Korean and Asian films. Genres that are given the spotlight include horror, mystery, thriller, and fantasy. In 2007, the film festival featured 225 films from 33 countries. This year, the film festival will run for 10 days, from July 16 to 26.

Lee and Moon rose to fame for their performance in the SBS teen drama, "Mackerel Run," which also served as the breakout series for actress Park Bo Young. Lee, Moon and Park followed the success of "Mackerel Run" by starring in the 2008 romantic comedy, "Our School E.T." 

According to an article published by the Korean outlet OBS, a reporter used the opportunity of their appearance at Bi Fan to ask Lee Min Ho and Moon Chae Won if they would like to work together, in the future. "If you had the opportunity to work together again, what kind of film would you like to shoot?" questioned the reporter.

The question received a warm response from the audience and the stars. Moon was the first to reply, delivering a witty answer. "I would like it to be a melodrama," said Moon. "I would also like for the film to have physical, action." 

While Moon has appeared in romantic comedies and period pieces, she is not known for action movies. Lee noted this, pointing out that she has limited athletic abilities. 

Lee was frank in his response, which hinted at the current state of his career. "I'm at the age to do melodramas," said Lee. "If I were to do another project with Moon Chae Won, I like that [melodramas] would be best. 

The 19th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival recognized Lee Min Ho for his breakout film performance in "Gangnam 1970," while Moon Chae Won was honored for her role in the romantic comedy, "Love Forecast," with starred solo vocalist, host and actor, Lee Seung Gi. 

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